Martin Rallies Aprilia as Two-Point Title Fight Heads to Mandalika

Jorge Martin has urged Aprilia to maintain their momentum as the tightest MotoGP title fight in years heads to Mandalika with only two points separating him from Marc Marquez. The reigning champion limited the damage at Motegi last weekend, taking pole position with a new lap record before finishing second in both the sprint — later demoted to third for running onto the green on the final lap — and the grand prix, where Marquez doubled up to slash the gap. "We leave Japan very satisfied, from a circuit that in the past hadn't been among Aprilia's best," Martin said ahead of the Indonesian Grand Prix. "The team did an exceptional job, and the double podium is an even greater testament to everyone's commitment." The Spaniard added that Mandalika has always been a circuit where he feels comfortable, but warned that "the championship is still very tight, so we have to keep going this way, working together and improving day by day." With six rounds remaining, teammate Marco Bezzecchi sits 49 points adrift in third and needs to beat both title rivals regularly to stay in contention. Aprilia's RS-GP26 proved competitive at Motegi despite the circuit historically suiting Ducati — an encouraging sign with Indonesia, a traditionally strong venue for the Italian manufacturer, up next.